I recently rode in an Acura RL and although a nice car, I don't think it really has any appeal at this moment, maybe only to those loyal older Acura customers.

It's Acura's Flagship model and it just really lacks behind the Lexus, Infinity, BMW, Mercedes counter parts. Who would buy this RL with all those other great models out there? I can't even imagine.

But from this great website, I hear the RL will be revamped soon which will be good.

The thing I am not sure about is that people say they will bring the RL manufacturing to the US just like our TLs and not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

Good for the pricing, but may sacrifice the exceptional quality that is often associated with the flagship sedan. The competition still makes their highest end cars in their home country.

We'll see when the time comes.

 

I thought the RL's interior was really dated looking. Kind of like a circa 1985 M-B. Pity, it is a really well built car and you can get incredible deals on them.

 

I really like the bland look of the RL, and its a bargain now! They sold one at Radley for $35,000.00 a couple of months back.

------------------
2000 Fire Pepper Red/ebony TL, non-navi. factory spoiler, std chrome wheels, 35% tint, comptech exhaust, wood trim kit, factory body kit, custom grill...
Quiets ride

 

Man I think the RL grille is Marvelous... Tru, it does need some more power and luxury attributes... Looks wise, the car is phat ... I would trade it anyday for a TL, if I knew the RL would grease it ...

S.HOlla ...

------------------
2001 Acura TL/Nighthawk Black/Einkei AKA 17's/Nitto Extreme 450's (225/17/50)Type-S Shifter/Spoiler/AEM CAI w/Bypass Valve/Custom Grizalle/ Riceboy AcuraPads/ SuperSonicSpark$/*TL-S Tailz*/Pix real soon!!!

 

Well, even 35k is too much for the RL. But that's JMHO. And it's not weather it's worth the price or not. It's really the image of a company. Acura have nothing that can compete with the S-class, LS430, 740/750 and the new Q45.

Yet at the same time they are still selling RSX/Integra, and the EL in Canada. Perhaps it helps the company, now. However in the long run, it will hurt the image of the company and it's really hard to change the image when people have "Acura = rebadged Honda" in mind. I think Lexus did a better job on this compared to Infinity and Acura. The only thing that Lexus have that's somewhat like a rebadged Toyota is the ES300 and the LX470. Other than those, they their model line up seems pretty indepent and different from Toyota.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Relative to the competition right now, the RL is a joke. The RL, now is very non-Acura-like! They're practically giving them away around here!

 

Whether, we like to admit or not, Acura's place is right above all your standard car brands like Honda, Nissan, Toyota, but slightly under your Lexus, BMW & Mercedes. Acura and Infinity are about the same, but with Infiniti's new Q45, they are pulling ahead.

Acura is hovering right in that unclear middle area of a near luxury car.

You guys maybe right about the low end Integra Line that maybe holding back Acura, but someone has to make money somewhere I guess.

I still am a proud Acura owner, but if the RL is not changed soon, all us Acura owners eventually upgrade to a Lexus or BMW.

 

I think for the past couple of years, all the money Acura has been making was on the 3.2TL and not on the Integra. From what I remember, Acura sold about 30,000 odd Integras (low-profit margin vehicles) while about 120,000 plus Acura TLs (high profit margin). The recent MDX is also a high-profit vehicle.

Common sense would dictate that (for a Luxury car image), Acura should dump the Integra, and bring in a car (sedan/Coupe) on the excellent S2000 platform with a small V6 (please Acura, no more of those high-strung torque-less 4-bangers)....

The RSX should be removed to the Honda end of the business, and the S2000 based Sedan/Coupe (which I understand is in the works), should take its place - with a small I-6 or V6 (2.5 to 3.0L displacement).

just my 2c




------------------
2000 Naples Gold 3.2TL/Navi - Factory Stock but with up-graded tires

 

Hunter,

What you are saying makes sense my future Acura marketing friend! When you have to compete you have to compete head to head with your competion, not just overlap a little. A luxury division should stand out and be distinctive from your run of the mille standarad brands. You pay for the service and the quality.

I love the TL Type S, but need a Lexus GS430.

I would love to see a mid size SUV from Lexus that is a related to the 4runner and compete with the Infinity QX4. That would like sweet.

Toyota Higlander to Lexus RX300
Toyota Land Cruiser to Lexus LX430
Toyota 4 Runner to ???????????

 

I agree wholeheartedly !! Currently, there is nothing in the Acura line-up that would set my juices rolling.... maybe an AWD TL-s with Navigation in Sport-wagon form (a la BMW 540i sportwagon) with a Torque-sensing Limited Slip differential, would perk my interest (if available for about 35G)....I will trade my beloved TL up in a second, if that becomes a reality...



------------------
2000 Naples Gold 3.2TL/Navi - Factory Stock but with up-graded tires

 

Hunter,

Someone here just posted a website that shows the new 2002 Infinity I35, which looks to be a hot car. So many luxury features direct from Japan. Maybe cost more, but it's innovative. The New Q is also interesting too. Competition is getting keen among the Japanese automakers, so when it's time to buy your next car, it will be a tough choice to decide. I'm sure Acura will eventually come to their senses and play a catch up game!

 

I agree with all of you. But you guys have to remember that Acura likes to do things late. Take for example the MDX. Acura did not have a true SUV of its own. The SLX was a joke. Then when Acura finally woke up to the potential of SUVs, they took all the innovative ideas and things that were missing from all the other SUVs and put it into the MDX. No wonder it is the hottest selling SUV right now. So just give Acura time and I am pretty sure the new RL will be close to or better than the new Q45 or LS430.

------------------

 

Acura has to do a lot of catching up now. Especially with the new Q45 and LS430, they are all trying to compete with MB in the high end market. I know it's not trying to capture that segment, but damn they need to really do something awesome to the RL to boost some sales here. V8 is not enough anymore.

 

i had this magazine that had the concept car on the rl(coming around 2004), and it had the base 290 hp and, 300 torque,
i maybe wrong but thas what i recall, infinity with their new Q's is just gonna wreck the whole competition, i seen i on a cd brochure, the hids eek! the rear cam mad just the engine drool

 

That's the thing. Acura once used to be a leader. They were not aways playing catch up like they are now. The Legend when it came out in 86 was a head of its time. The Integra was the same. Acura just needs to stop following the crowd, and go back to what made them the company they are today. Great, and inovative engineering, and stop listening to their marketing department. I know all the marketing people will disagree with me and say a company needs to make a profit, and it is not in the best finacial interest of Honda to do such and such. If you believe that, then we have to live with where Acura is possitioned today.



------------------
Chris K.

 

Yes the new RL is in the works its going to be a year behind the LS430 & Q45.
From what I read its going to be 360+HP & have all the stuff as the Q45 & LS430.
The workings & saftey gear will probaly filter down into the next generation TL & CL lines.

 

That is great news for us TL owners actually.
Several years down the road, maybe we will thinking about getting the new RL ..

But Honda engineers better start doing somw real work to achieve this tho ...

 

I also agree with all of you. Acura must play catch up and do it quik in the full luxury car market. I am concerned but not at all worried. If Acura produces a car that is as well recieved as the MDX, its all good. However Infiniti as of this past March has completely assaulted the market with The new Q. I saw the car for the first time on Friday and was impressed to say the least. The dealer had an ivory(52k) and one maroon(59k). The more expensive one had the rear camera. The lights are amazing. It looks like a huge GS with a S_Type rear end , with much better everything.
Acura really has got to come up and do it fast for the RL. ENGINE . The Q has 340hp/333torque. We know Honda can make engines. This will be Acura/Honda's first productiion V8. A type-S verion mated to a 5 speed manumatic developing 350-370hp needs to be reality to have any notice in the luxury camarket right now, I think. Right now I am seriously liking the Q................

 

It's all about Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, next isn't it? Acura just doesn't have an upgrade for us yet after the TL. No way am I going to get a RL at this moment, and even if they change it for the better, will take some time to really catch peoples interest. Acura has to start cleaning off the cobwebs on the RL now, revive it!

Lexus GS430 or BMW 5 series all the way.

 

Did anyone follow that last sentence? "the hids eek!" what the heck does that mean. Please clarify

 

Well, the 2002's should be appearing on lots as of about 2 weeks ago. There are some updates to it, but I imagine that it won't be too much longer before something big happens. I think that once the RSX is released in May (very highly possible), that the RL will be the next new revamp. That and the fact that they are probably releasing a new V8 sedan will hopefully turn more heads.

 

Don't get me wrong guys, the RL is a nice looking car and can look more aggressive with mods, but it still is not a HOT CAR at this moment.

The RL just exudes a car for old people!

Maybe they should just mate the NSX with the RL and see what happens! HA!